The Top Northeast Vacation Destination for Over a Century

Visit the picturesque borough of Belmar, situated in the Monmouth County in the state of New Jersey. With a population of nearly 6,000 residents, it is a wonderful vacation destination at any time of the year.

It is believed that the first European to set foot to these lands was the Englishman Henry Hudson. After two centuries, a group of investors built a summer community in the area where today lies the borough of Belmar. They believed that this spot is the best for vacationers because of the pleasant sea breezes and the fantastic fishing. In the 1870s they named the settlement Ocean Branch. It was later changed to Belmar, which means “beautiful sea” in French. The first hotel in this resort area was built in 1873. Soon, more hotels opened, including the fashionable The Columbia and gigantic The Atlantic. Belmar began to grow, with more and more local businesses flourishing in the prosperous tourism industry. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were already restaurants, art galleries, and boats for rent. Belmar became the top vacation destination of Northeast America. Since then, it has been acknowledged as a fantastic resort throughout the entire year.

Belmar is an often visited holiday destination due to its great recreation opportunities and its proximity to the cities of Philadelphia and New York. Some of the most popular activities include swimming, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, beachcombing, sunbathing, fishing, strolling on the beach, jogging, or just relaxing. Belmar's boardwalk is one of its finest attractions. It offers many great shops, fine restaurants, as well as a lively art community, festivals and plenty of activities for the entire family.

Belmar's beach is one of the greatest destinations for surfing on the East Coast. In fact, the borough often hosts surfing competitions and other related events. Stretching for over a mile, Belmar's beaches are among the healthiest beach environments on the East Coast, as they are perfectly cleaned and groomed every evening. In Belmar there is also a many skaters who enjoy the amenities of Belmar's fantastic skate park. Each summer at the St. Rose High School is held the competitive Jersey Shore Basketball League.

In Belmar you can enjoy many art shows, live performances and concerts, sponsored by the borough's Art Council. Some of them include the Adam O'Donnel Memorial Run-Swim-Run, Belmar 5 Mile Run, New Jersey Sand Castle Contest, Jersey Shore Relay Run, Belmar Mile Swim, New Jersey Seafood Festival, Belmar Fall Festival, Tournament, Belmar Spring Triathlon, Belmar Spring Kite Festival, Belmar Pro Surf Contest, St. Patrick's Day Parade as well as the Howard Rowland Memorial Lifeguard.

A fantastic destination for all seasons, Belmar is one of the best northeastern resort destinations. Whether you are seeking for a peaceful retreat to escape from big city stress, or a place where you can spend your days full of fantastic activities and exciting nightlife, you will find everything you can only wish for in the beautiful borough of Belmar.